After another frustrating weekend, the Peacocks will finally hope to resume Vanarama National League South action when they make the long trek to Dover Athletic tomorrow evening (10th January), ko 7.45pm.
Saturday’s postponed home game against Concord Rangers has put Town even further behind with their fixtures, having now played as many as nine games fewer than some sides in the division, so all fingers will be crossed that the weather behaves itself and the Dover match goes ahead. Not that a midweek journey to Kent was originally in the plans, the fixture having initially been scheduled for Saturday 5th November, but the Peacocks had an alternative engagement that day with their visit to MK Dons in the FA Cup.
Despite their inactivity at the weekend, Town still remain in 17th place, two slots lower than their opponents tomorrow. A win for the visitors would see them overtake a Dover side who are three points ahead, having fulfilled five more games, but who go into the encounter without a win in their last five League outings, their last victory coming at the end of November, whilst the new year has brought two defeats so far for the Whites, a home reverse to Dulwich Hamlet followed by a 1-0 loss at bottom side Hungerford on Saturday.
Dover are currently managerless following the departure of Andy Hessenthaler by mutual consent last week. Caretakers Mitch Brundle and Mike Sandmann will therefore be eager to get their first points on the board against a Peacocks team seeking to extend their undefeated run in the League to six matches. Centre half Dan Ball is unlikely to be fit for selection, otherwise the squad is unchanged. Head of Football Rob Dray said:” Tomorrow constitutes a massive effort with players taking two days off for a midweek game which shows the commitment needed for this level of football. However we are going there to get a positive result and need to back up our recent form.”
Traveller Info
Ground: Crabble Athletic Ground, Lewisham Road, River, Dover, Kent CT17 0JB
Ground to Ground: 220.5 miles (via A303/M3/M25/M20)
Directions: Leave the M20/A20 in Folkestone. Take the A260 exit towards Canterbury before taking first left turning onto Alkham Valley Road. Continue for around six miles before turning right onto Lower Road just before railway bridge. Continue on Lower Road until end and turn right onto Crabble Road. The ground is further along on the left.
Admission: Adults £16, Over 60’s £14, Under 18’s £8, Under 11’s free with accompanying adult
Last meeting: the Peacocks have not met Dover Athletic before but have crossed paths with their predecessors Dover FC in the Southern League season of 1978-79. Town conceded the double to the Kent side, losing 4-0 away in September 1978 before a goal from John O’Mara and a Chris Hamshere penalty steered the visitors to a 2-0 victory at the Cygnet on 9th December 1978.
Dover FC folded in 1983 due to their debts and Dover Athletic were formed the same year.